Work on West Sacramento piers won't be until at least next year

Work on rebuilding and making public two piers in West Sacramento could get underway sometime next year, according to city public works director Cameron Beebe.

Under contracts the city of West Sacramento approved this week with GHD Inc., the company has until February to come up with plans for design and environmental review for piers at Raley’s Landing and the Rice Mill, Beebe said.

The pier properties, in the city’s hands after they were in private ownership for decades, will eventually be places the public can use for tying up boats and recreation. Waterfront access is a critical part of West Sacramento’s plan to develop its Bridge District as a signature neighborhood and draw from elsewhere

Beebe said the city is applying for a state grant for actual pier construction -- the exact costs of which will be determined by the advance work GHD will do.

“Assuming we have the funding in place, that’s our goal,” Beebe said of starting work next year.

Another key question GHD’s report will answer is the status of existing pilings at the two places the piers would be built. Whether those pilings could still be used for the future piers, Beebe said, will help answer questions about both cost and possible environmental mitigation necessary for the project.